Matisyahu Joins Daniel Pearl World Music Days Honorary Committee
Calls Upon Musicians Worldwide to Participate in 8th Annual World Music Days

LOS ANGELES, Aug. 11 /PRNewswire/ -- The Daniel Pearl Foundation today announced that Matisyahu, the multi-talented music sensation known for blending traditional Jewish themes with reggae, rock and hip hop, has joined the Daniel Pearl World Music Days Honorary Committee. Daniel Pearl World Music Days (www.danielpearlmusicdays.org) is a global network of performances that take place annually from October 1(st) to 31(st) to coincide with Daniel Pearl's October 10(th) birthday.

"Music transcends differences and inspires unity. Daniel Pearl understood that and used his music to build bridges across cultural divides and spread friendship," explained Matisyahu. "As a Daniel Pearl World Music Days Honorary Committee Member, I call upon musicians of all faiths and nationalities to join me in adding their voices to unite audiences around their shared humanity and ring the world in 'Harmony for Humanity.'"

Matisyahu (www.matisyahuworld.com) blends infectious melodies and intricate production with classic messages of hope, peace and understanding to create a sound that is undeniably his own. Few artists make an impact as complete as the one he made with his Top 40 crossover hit "King Without a Crown." Here was a true original, the song announced -- a Hasidic Jewish musician from New York City singing reggae songs about his religious devotion. Fans responded, driving Youth, Matisyahu's Grammy-nominated 2006 studio disc, to the top spot on Billboard's reggae albums chart. That album, as well as Matisyahu's previous recording Live at Stubb's, went Gold. Matisyahu will release Light on August 25 (Epic Records). Light finds the multi-talented musician from Crown Heights, Brooklyn displaying his one-of-a-kind voice in a variety of diverse genres, moving through his familiar reggae-soul stylings to dancehall, ska-inflected new wave, pop-rock and acoustic folk.

"We are deeply honored that Matisyahu has joined our distinguished World Music Days Honorary Committee," said Ruth Pearl, mother of Daniel Pearl and co-founder of the Daniel Pearl Foundation. "Danny's love of music spanned all genres and he understood the power of music to connect people beyond their differences. Matisyahu's message of hope, peace and understanding will broaden our outreach to fans and performers all over the world."

Since 2002, thousands of professional and amateur musicians have joined this expanding network of concerts to honor the legacy of journalist/musician Daniel Pearl, the Wall Street Journal South Asia Bureau Chief, who was kidnapped and murdered by terrorists in Pakistan shortly after 9/11. These concerts commemorate Pearl's life and work by using the universal language of music to spread a message of hope, unity and "Harmony for Humanity." Other members of the World Music Days Honorary Committee include Herbie Hancock, R.E.M., Sir Elton John, Alison Krauss, Yo-Yo Ma, Ravi Shankar, Salman Ahmad, Yefim Bronfman, Theodore Bikel, Ida Haendel, Tania Libertad, Zubin Mehta, Itzhak Perlman, Mohammad Reza Shajarian, Steve Reich, Mark O'Connor, Russell Simmons, Barbra Streisand and John Williams.

Daniel Pearl World Music Days

World Music Days is an awareness-raising initiative, not a fund-raising program. There is no fee to participate. A simple registration of music event(s) at www.danielpearlmusicdays.org will confirm participation and allow participants to promote their event(s) worldwide.

Once events are registered, participation entails making a brief dedication from the stage, or in the printed program, in support of the "Harmony for Humanity" theme. Last year, artists at more than 1,000 concerts in 59 countries took part in this global initiative.

The Daniel Pearl Foundation

Daniel Pearl's kidnapping and murder by terrorists in Pakistan in 2002 touched millions who never knew him. By developing innovative international programs focused on journalism, music and respectful dialogue, the Daniel Pearl Foundation seeks to counter the hatred and intolerance that took his life. For more information please visit www.danielpearlmusicdays.org